When I think about the flexible points programs from Chase and American Express, I’m generally
excited and optimistic about it.
I know partnerships change all the time and point programs get devalued.
However, these two programs have proved to be extremely valuable for a lot of travelers
in the points and miles hobby.
Though, there’s always room to improve.
Hey everyone, how’s it going?
It’s Ernest from Trip Astute.
In this video, I want to review some wishlist items that I would love to see implemented
by both Chase’s Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards program.
I’m hoping today’s video doesn’t come across as a rant.
Instead, I just wanted to share some thoughts on ways that I think both Chase and American
Express can improve their respective flexible points programs.
If you want to see how I rate the two programs, check out our previous video on the topic.
In fact, I would consider this video as almost a part two or retrospective video on both
programs, which hopefully helps if you’re trying to figure out which one might best
serve your needs.
My goal is to dig in a bit deeper on some of the issues that I mention in that previous
video.
Before we jump in, if you’re new here, welcome to our channel.
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For the sake of simplicity, I’ll cover six improvements that I want to see from Chase,
and then another six that I want to see from American Express.
So, let’s start with Chase.
1.
Bonus category for groceries and fuel: This is one area that I wish Chase would address
in their cards.
Chase doesn’t have any Ultimate Rewards earning cards that earn a bonus for groceries
other than the Chase Freedom, which has a 5% rotating bonus categories every quarter.
Since this can be a huge expense category for a lot of folks, I think Chase is missing
a big opportunity.
For example, I probably would not have applied for the American Express Gold Card last year
if Chase had an equivalent card for grocery spending, and I suspect a lot of you are in
the same boat.
In fact, I’m still on the fence on whether I’ll keep my Gold card.
Right now, I’m leaning toward canceling it and reinstating my old grocery and fuel
card, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred.
I’m also mentioning fuel since Chase doesn’t have a personal Ultimate Rewards earning card
that has a fuel bonus, unless you count the Freedom’s rotating bonus category.
They do have 2X bonus on the Ink Business Cash card, but I know a lot of folks may not
qualify or be interested in getting a business credit card.
2.
Apple Pay for Ink Business credit cards: This is one that completely baffles me.
I don’t know why Chase seems reluctant to enable Apple Pay on their Ink Business cards.
I actually posted this question on Quora a few months ago to see if anyone had an answer,
and someone mentioned that they thought it might be because business accounts tend to
be multi-user.
Though American Express seems willing to do it, so I can’t imagine why couldn’t be
done for Chase as well.
I’ve had a few occasions where I forgot my Ink Business Cash card at home and wanted
to make an office supply store purchase.
If it was available on Apple Pay, I could have easily used the card.
Instead, I missed out on the bonus.
3.
A premium “Ink Business Reserve” card: I did an April’s Fools post on a new Ink
Business Reserve card with all sorts of crazy benefits, and I know I was able to trick a
few folks.
But I do think that Chase is missing an opportunity to capture a specific segment … particularly
business travelers and road warriors.
I would love to see a premium business card from Chase that could compete against the
American Express Business Platinum card.
Perhaps with more lounge options, CLEAR program reimbursement, wifi, and other business-related
benefits.
I’m hoping one is in the works.
Though since Chase did report an initial loss due to the Sapphire Reserve, I’m wondering
if they are hesitant to release a card with so many benefits.
I guess we’ll have to see!
4.
More flat-rate cash back offers: I’ve mentioned in a few videos how I much I love the way
that American Express does their offers.
We’ve used them many times, and I’ve been surprised by how much we’ve saved on purchases
by earning cash back or points.
Combine it with a shopping portal, and you’re often able to double dip in rewards.
While I appreciate that Chase has entered the offers game, I’m not crazy about the
way they structure them.
Most of the offers are for a percentage back.
The majority of American Express offers tend to a flat-rate cash back deal, which I find
to be a lot more enticing.
If I could advise Chase, I would say focus on these types of offers as I think they are
a lot more compelling.
5.
Additional lounge options: I know that the Priority Pass lounges that are offered through
the Sapphire Reserve are a bit hit or miss, depending on the location.
With all the reports of lounges getting overcrowded, it would be valuable to have more options.
And obviously, Chase can’t compete with American Express’ Centurion lounges, which
is a compelling reason to get the American Express Platinum card if you often travel
through airports that have them.
However, Chase does have airline relationships, and I’d love to see them integrate lounges
from United, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Air France.
Or even adding other private lounge networks to their list of lounges would be great.
6.
Less restrictive rules: It does seem like Chase has the most restrictive unofficial
application rules of all the issuers.
Between 5/24, 2/30, and the four-year bonus restriction for Sapphire cards, it’s really
complicated and intimidating for those of you who are new to credit card rewards.
I know that lending and underwriting is a complicated business and they need to manage
their risk profile, but I wish they wouldn’t make it so difficult to get their cards
Ok, so maybe I am being too critical.
However, I just think that Chase could really increase the value proposition by making some
of these changes.
To be honest, the Chase Sapphire Reserve does feel a bit dated nowadays, especially next
to the American Express Platinum and Citi Prestige which seem to get their benefits
refreshed more often.
I honestly think that Chase could really boost their top premium cards by adding some extra
valuable benefits.
So what about American Express?
Yeah, I have a whole list for things that I would like to see on their cards too.
Let’s review the list.
1.
No fees to transfer Membership Rewards points: American Express charges a percentage when
transferring points to domestic carriers.
I feel like this prevents a lot of people from even trying it.
Sure, you can calculate how much it’s worth, and in some cases, it’s probably worth the
cost.
However, I just don’t like the principle around it.
It’s like being charged a convenience fee when you know it’s something straightforward
and relatively simple (like buying an event ticket from Ticketmaster), or even worse a
resort fee at a hotel.
It just seems like an excessive fee and extra hurdle.
2.
More high-value redemption options: One of the big selling points to me about Chase is
the fact that you can use the travel portal to book independent hotels, tours, and experiences
using your Chase points at either 1.25 or 1.5 cents, depending on the Sapphire or Ink
card that you have.
The American Express’ travel portal offers hotel bookings at around 0.7 cents per point,
which is very low.
I think if they increased the rate to 1.25 cents per point, they would see a lot more
usage of their portal.
Also, American Express could more valuable redemption options.
For most people, you’re restricted to point transfers to airlines in order to maximize
your per point value.
I’d love to see American Express offer more lucrative hotel transfers and additional redemption
options like experiences and tours.
Speaking from my personal experience, I really struggle with finding ways to redeem Membership
Rewards points for most trips.
So far, it’s primarily long-distance business and first class flights where I am able to
get decent value from the points.
3.
Travel bonus category on their Gold and Platinum card: American Express is the original travel
credit card company.
Though ironically, they don’t offer a general bonus category for travel on their two biggest
cards.
The Platinum card does earn a bonus for purchased flights, but when you consider how much qualifies
as a travel expense with Chase, it feels like a lost opportunity.
And since American Express is trying to convey a brand image of luxury and travel, I think
they should cater to customers who are spending money on travel.
Also, a common travel scenario is eating at a restaurant that might be part of a hotel
or resort.
In those cases, you’re often not sure how the charge will encode on the card.
It might show as dining out or hotel.
Having a travel bonus category along with dining out eliminates that hassle.
4.
Less restrictive credits and bonus categories: This is probably my biggest pet peeve with
American Express.
While Chase makes it very easy to redeem the travel credit on the Sapphire Reserve, American
Express seems to make it a lot more difficult to redeem their credits.
That’s not to say that I don’t use them or value them, but I just wish they weren’t
so difficult to use.
The dining credit can’t be used at once and the airline incidental credits can only
be used for specific charges.
While people will use workarounds to redeem them, like buying airline gift cards for the
airline incidental credit, I think it would be a welcome change to have more options when
redeeming the credit.
Also, I dislike that the Gold card bonus categories only apply to US restaurants and grocery stores.
Again, for a company that has such a strong heritage in travel rewards, it seems like
the policy is not aligned with the brand image.
5.
No annual fee charge card option: If you want to downgrade an American Express charge card,
you’re limited in your choices.
In fact, most people are stuck downgrading to the Green card, which has an annual fee,
or canceling the card, which can negatively affect your credit.
I think American Express needs to have a no-annual-fee charge card option so you can downgrade easily
and not lose your points or take a hit on your credit score.
Maybe a Bronze card?
I know there are rumors that the Green card is going to be revamped soon, so I’m hoping
we’ll see a charge card from them that doesn’t have an annual fee.
6.
Ability to earn welcome offers again: While Chase still has the most restrictive rules,
American Express does have one rule that most points and miles collectors hate.
It’s their one welcome offer per lifetime of a card rule.
This rule means that you can only earn the welcome offer once for any card.
That means that if you were to get the American Expres Gold card and earn the welcome offer,
you would no longer be able to earn it again if you canceled the card and reapplied in
the future.
Now there are some exceptions, like when a card dramatically changes or rebrands.
However, for the most part, you can only earn a welcome offer once for a specific American
Express card.
What are your wishlist items for Chase and American Express?
Am I missing anything in my list.
Let me know if the comment section below.
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